The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 50: A Day at the Beach

The soft hum of the car engine filled the space between Marie and me as we cruised down the winding coastal road, the scent of saltwater teasing our senses. The sun hung bright overhead, casting a warm glow that seemed to match the newfound hope blossoming in my heart. I glanced at Marie, who was singing along to a catchy tune blaring from the radio, her laughter echoing in the confines of the car, infectious and light, like a goddamn melody in a twisted world.

"Are you ready for this?" Marie asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she stole a glance my way. The weight of the recent past began to lift, if only slightly. The air in the car felt charged, vibrant with possibilities.

"I think so," I replied, my voice shaky like a leaf in a storm. We hadn't had the easiest time lately; the kiss with Aaliyah had left a mark on both of us, but today felt like a fresh start. A chance to clear the air, to breathe again.

Marie smiled knowingly, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel as she navigated the curves of the road. "It'll be fun. Just us, the ocean, and no distractions. We can breathe for a bit." Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I felt my heart lighten at the thought.

The beach was a perfect escape from the whirlwind of emotions that had plagued me lately. "I could really use that," I admitted, looking out at the passing scenery—endless stretches of blue skies dotted with fluffy white clouds and the occasional glimpse of the sparkling ocean in the distance.

As we drove, Marie enthusiastically shared her plans for the day. She talked about building sandcastles and splashing in the waves like kids again, her excitement bubbling over as she painted a picture of our adventures. I couldn't help but smile, my heart warming at the thought of a day filled with laughter and fun. The anticipation of it all was slowly starting to replace the unease I had felt in the days before.

When we finally parked and stepped out of the car, the sound of the crashing waves greeted us like an old friend. The salty breeze tousled our hair as we made our way toward the shore, our bare feet sinking into the warm sand. I paused for a moment, taking it all in—the vastness of the ocean, the endless sky, and the laughter of children playing in the distance. For the first time in a while, I felt a sense of belonging, like I had escaped the bullshit that had weighed me down.

As we walked closer to the water, Marie turned to me, her eyes serious for a moment. "I know things have been a bit... rocky between us, but I really want today to be about us reconnecting. Just being ourselves, you know?" Her sincerity was palpable, and I appreciated her willingness to address the tension that had lingered between us.

"Yeah," I agreed, nodding. "I'd like that. It's nice to get away from everything." I felt a flutter of hope in my chest, a quiet optimism that perhaps this day could be the turning point we both needed.

Marie beamed, her usual brightness returning. "Let's make some memories, then. Starting with a splash contest!"

Before I could respond, Marie dashed toward the water, laughter spilling from her lips as she kicked up sand behind her like a toddler on a sugar high. I couldn't help but chuckle at her exuberance, feeling my heart race with both excitement and affection. With a playful shake of my head, I ran after her, the cool waves splashing around our ankles as we both squealed from the sudden chill. The playful chaos of it all felt liberating, and I lost myself in the moment, the ocean's energy washing away my worries, like a fucking miracle.

After a while, we returned to the dry sand to set our things down. We had both brought colorful cover-ups to shield ourselves from the sun, and as we reached our spot, I caught a glimpse of Marie's radiant smile, feeling a familiar flutter in my stomach. It was moments like this that reminded me of why our connection was so special.